A MOTHER of five has admitted dishonestly claiming more than £140,000 in benefits.

Tracey Ann Dare, of Christchurch, accrued the cash over a 10 year period by filing claims for housing benefit, council tax benefit, tax credits, jobseekers allowance and income support.

However, Bournemouth Crown Court heard the 50-year-old had used the money on everyday expenses rather than luxuries or expensive holidays.

Prosecuting, Timothy Bradbury said Dare had failed to notify the authorities when claiming benefits that she was living and 'maintaining a common household with' Adrian Vare, who was employed as a merchant seaman.

She was due to stand trial in court on Tuesday (APR 25), but admitted the crimes on a basis of plea, claiming Mr Vare had been an unreliable source of income.

Mr Bradbury said: "There is evidence to confirm that Mr Vare was at sea for the last two years of the offending period, we can't say how long he was abroad.

"It is the defendant's assertion that Mr Vare provided limited support during the relevant period.

"Certainly he did provide a financial contribution to running the household. Paying for car insurance. Short holidays to Butlins. Paying for a Sky phone subscription."

He said evidence seized during a police search of their home in Lights Close in 2014 had revealed Vare, who faces separate charges of dishonestly making a false statement to obtain a benefit, was "spending a great deal of money on gambling and drink".

"There is little evidence of any extravagance, of extravagant living," he added.

Representing Dare, Nicholas Robinson said his client was likely to have been entitled to claim much of the money legitimately.

He said Vare had been abroad for eight months a year and at other times had stayed with other family elsewhere, including a daughter in Southampton and other children in New Zealand.

Referring to Dare's basis of plea, he said: "Mr Vare has, quote, women all over the place. He hasn't ever been tied down to one woman. Mr Vare had the usual lifestyle of a merchant seaman.

"He was not always reliable in terms of visiting home and providing financial support."

He said Vare had described himself as "a dirty old merchant seaman" in his police interview.

Dare admitted three counts of dishonestly failing to notify the relevant authority of a change in her circumstances, one of being knowingly concerned in a fraudulent activity, and three of dishonest misrepresentation to obtain benefits.

Adjourning the case, Judge Brian Forster QC noted that most merchant seamen lived "a happy and ordinary lifestyle".

Dare was released on bail while a probation report is prepared. She will be sentenced on Friday, May 19.